Yang POY, Rule COY, Two Others Honored on All-MCC Teams
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Oskaloosa–William Penn’s successful season on the course has been parlayed into dominance on the postseason squads as the 2013-2014 all-Midwest Collegiate Conference women’s golf teams were announced today.
Maggie Yang (Jr., Chino, Calif., Business Management) and Demi Coertze (So., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) were both members of the five-person first team, while Jing Yang (Fr., Woodland Hills, Calif., Biology) was tabbed for the seven-member honorable-mention squad.
Maggie Yang was named MCC Player of the Year, while Head Coach Nik Rule garnered Coach of the Year laurels from his peers. Angela Chemas of Grand View earned the Newcomer of the Year accolade. The POY and COY awards are the first in program history.
The 23rd-ranked Statesmen, who won their first-ever league crown to qualify for the NAIA National Championships, won five tournaments and placed second in the other seven events.
A three-time first-team pick, Maggie Yang has finally risen to the top of the MCC. The junior has posted two tournament wins and had 11 top-ten finishes in 12 events. She currently has a 79.6 stroke average and has managed nine rounds in the 70s, highlighted by breaking the school 18-hole record with a one-under 72. She was named MCC Player of the Week twice.
“Maggie has poured her heart and soul into this program,” Rule said. “She has had an amazing season and has showed great maturity this year. Even when she was struggling, she managed to excel for her team. I am so proud of her.”
Coertze, now a two-time first-teamer, had an extremely strong finish to the regular season. The sophomore was first three times, including winning the MCC Championships. She tallied ten top-ten placings en route to a current 79.5 stroke average. Coertze broke the 80-stroke barrier eight times, highlighted by a low of 75 twice. She was named MCC Player of the Week on two occasions.
“Demi is a part of the best 1-2 punch in our conference,” Rule said. “She and Maggie have identical stats. She has been such a great story this year and has really bought into trusting her game. Her MCC medalist honor is a testament to that.”
Jing Yang has had a strong freshman campaign, recording an 82.9 stroke average. She placed second twice and had a total of eight top-ten finishes. A one-time MCC Player of the Week, Yang had four rounds in the 70s, including a season-best 76.
“I believe we have five all-conference players and Jing’s honorable mention in her freshman year is well-deserved,” Rule said. “She has adapted well to the college game quickly.”
“I am humbled by the (Coach of the Year) acknowledgment, but without our past and current players and our coaching staff this is not possible,” Rule said. “I am lucky to be able to lead a talented group of young people who really believe in the concept of a team. There is no greater honor than coaching this program and being at William Penn University.”
For the complete listing of the 20013-2014 all-MCC Women’s Golf teams, go to http://www.midwestcollegiateconference.com/article/1716.php
